1998 BMW 328i for $14,000 w/ 59K - Decent Price?

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thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
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76
This lady I work with has a metallic orangeish 328i that she's looking to sell within the next couple months. (4dr Sedan - Automatic)

I haven't really had a chance to check it out much yet aside from looking at the outside, but it seems to be in great condition, and it's only been serviced @ the dealership.

I haven't looked at a bluebook price on it yet (Gonna do it after this post) but I'm just trying to get an idea on what people think about this. Update - Blue Book is $16,450 w/ standard features - I don't know what options it has so I left em standard.

I currently drive a '92 Honda Prelude and have been looking to upgrade for awhile.

Thoughts/Comments/Etc are welcomed and encouraged! :D

-Ben-

Edit: Link Fixed & Updated
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
My first thought is that you need to fix your link. My second thought is that metallic orange isn't my favorite color. My third? I think I'd personally prefer a 5 series...

;)
 
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opticalmace

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2003
1,841
0
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Originally posted by: Astaroth33
My first thought is that you need to fix your link. My second thought is that metallic orange isn't my favorite color. My third? I think I'd personally prefer a 5 series...

;)
Click to expand...

4th: I like cocoa.
 
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thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
1) Link Fixed :p
2) The color's actually not that bad - Kinda unique IMO ;) :D :Q
3) Astaroth: Yeah maybe, but it doesn't sound too bad for what it is, eh? ;)
 
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z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
make sure that she did all the recall thingies..

I think 328 used to have a few...

 
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z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
328 is sweeet...

get it!

I have a 330 and I love it!!

but gas can be a problem, u have to use premium gas...
 
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isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
81
Originally posted by: z0mb13
328 is sweeet...

get it!

I have a 330 and I love it!!

but gas can be a problem, u have to use premium gas...
Click to expand...

when you're driving a bimmer, i don't think the type of gas you need really matters. :)
Drive a premium car, it comes with a premium price :p
 
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cmdavid

Diamond Member
May 23, 2001
4,114
0
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i say get it.. we bought a black '95 325i with 55k miles on it for $9500 about 2 years ago and it runs great... we had to get the dashboard changed, cost about $500 and that was the only problem it had...
 
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Whisper

Diamond Member
Feb 25, 2000
5,394
2
81
Sounds good to me, and while I'd never personally buy an automatic if I could help it, that's a pretty nice price indeed. Just ask her what type of service history and all it's had; some bmw's seem to have a penchant for requiring lots of (expensive) work, while others are fine.
 
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thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Yeah - I'm definitely leaning towards going for it, just need to figure out where I'm gonna come up with the cash...and I'd imagine insurance would cost a pretty penny too...:Q

Hopefully I can snag some pics of it next week while I'm at work, but I really don't mind the color - I haven't seen anyone in town w/ a red prelude, let alone a orange BMW :D

I do think that a manual would be nice, but seeing as how I still haven't learned (Been bugging my father to teach me for years now) and that traffic is usually ass around here, I'll stick w/ the auto...

We shall see~ :)
 
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Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
71
Aside from my personal opinion that premium-brand cars are generally a waste of money, and for most people, represent poor financial planning, that sounds like a decent deal. You pretty much know the car has a good history, and having been serviced exclusively at the dealership, you know that it doesn't have a bunch of off-brand parts that might cause unnecessary problems later.

She wins by getting a little more than she would in a trade-in deal, and you win by getting fair price on a used car that's probably in great shape.
 
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thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Aside from my personal opinion that premium-brand cars are generally a waste of money, and for most people, represent poor financial planning, that sounds like a decent deal. You pretty much know the car has a good history, and having been serviced exclusively at the dealership, you know that it doesn't have a bunch of off-brand parts that might cause unnecessary problems later.

She wins by getting a little more than she would in a trade-in deal, and you win by getting fair price on a used car that's probably in great shape.
Click to expand...


I agree~ :)

Can't wait for her to call me when she's ready to sell - She's looking into getting a new 5-Series, so hopefully she'll be ready soon....er actually I could use a little more time to save up some cash! :)

-Ben-
 
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rpc64

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
2,135
0
0
Heh that's funny I was looking at ~95-98 328s in the paper today. They had a few convertible ones and the prices didn't seem too bad. What would be the cons of buying a car like this (not specifically convertible, but older BMWs I mean)? Expensive to fix? Any others?
 
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thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
11,107
0
76
Originally posted by: rpc64
Heh that's funny I was looking at ~95-98 328s in the paper today. They had a few convertible ones and the prices didn't seem too bad. What would be the cons of buying a car like this (not specifically convertible, but older BMWs I mean)? Expensive to fix? Any others?
Click to expand...

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/06/98067733.html

Found that, and aside from service and premium gas being expensive I really can't find anything else - Although I don't know what it'll do to my insurance~ :confused:
 
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rpc64

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
2,135
0
0
Yeah I'm looking at older cars right now because I need something that won't kill me in insurance. I wanted to buy a new car but it would be like $400 a month. I'm trying to think of some older cars that are cool and won't be quite so high in insurance. I really don't know what BMWs are like for insurance.
 
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LordUnum

Golden Member
Jul 3, 2001
1,153
0
0
Looks like a good deal. I particularly :heart: that Avus Blue E36 in GtPrOjEcTX's link. ;)

There are a few things to look for on a used E36 M3 before purchasing (suspension-wise esp.), particularly one equipped w/a manual. I'd say that it's pretty safe to say that a 328 w/auto has probably (hopefully) avoided the stresses associated w/repeated autocrossing. If you do purchase this or a similar car as in the above links, and as I've heard countless new E36 (1992-1999) BMW owners advised on BF.com, make replacing the plastic thermostat housing a priority before 80k miles. Some folks say the original stock housing is brittle and prone to breaking over time. I wouldn't want to have that thing bust on the freeway and be coolant-less for any significant period of time .

One other thing, though---don't ever drive one afterwards w/stick. You'll miss it (even in traffic). Plus, the cost of an auto -> manual swap is somewhat prohibitive too even if you get a good deal on parts & labor ($1500-2000). So make sure you're going to be enjoying what you're getting over the long-run as the car will probably remain an automatic 'til insurance 'total' do you part. ;)

BTW, I learned manual on mine... while at the dealership. :)
 
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